Sep 14

We often think of calling as a big-picture objective. That it is, indeed. We were all born for a reason, with an intended purpose. We all fit into the big picture of humanity. More people are getting in tune with the notion of discovering the life they were born to live. This is so exciting to see in action! Our calling is, however, much like painting a masterpiece – it is completed one brush stroke at a time. When an artists creates she does so with creativity and skill. She may use many different brushes, colors or shades for emphasis. She may even make outline sketches before she attempts the magnum opus. God works in our lives in the same way, when we allow that to happen. We tend to think of calling as the finished product, like artwork, but the process or journey is just as important. God may call us to action in many different ways.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

There is a common thread to our calling; we are all gifted to serve other people in the big picture of life…

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Once you identify your gifts, the next step in the process is personal development. Stay tuned in to the “clues” that could provide further direction to zero in on your true identity in Christ Jesus and your work in the Lord’s name:

The people or places we can think of as opportunity.

Your past experiences certainly may play a key role as well.

Take stock of the resources that you have – be it your education or assets, or maybe even your current position at work.

Listen carefully to the folks around you that you would consider to be wise counsel.

Focus on opportunities – they may be a very important doorway to fulfilling your mission.

These are all critical elements to identifying your calling… and they all lead to the same conclusion:

Getting to know yourself is the most relevant factor to identifying your calling. (Click To Tweet)

Our gifts are the things we do with seemingly little to no effort. I could rattle out these blog posts every morning. Writing is certainly a gift for me, and evidenced by the Holy Spirit dwelling within me as I never had that gift before I came to know Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Why do it? It is all about fulfillment. We are an empty shell without fulfillment in the Lord, left with a void in our soul that nothing else can fill. It’s about getting to know oneself. Then, we can finish the painting of the thing called life, like an artist fills the canvas. Starting with nothing but a blank sheet, God created each of us specifically for a unique and special purpose. We are each His crowning achievement.

Will you be fulfilling yours?

Image courtesy of jandismall.wordpress.com

5 Comments

Carol Peterson

September 15, 2014at 12:17 pm

Yes! We all have the same calling from Jesus.

Then we have spiritual gifts and practical He expects us to use. I love your list of ways to get to know yourself and shout “hurrah” that when w use our gifts for His purpose, He fulfills our lives. Yup.